Advertisement

'Scandal' over children's care

MPs are calling for an investigation into children's homes which, they say, are failing to manage and protect youngsters who run away or go missing. Ann Coffey MP, chairwoman of the parliamentary inquiry, branded the situation a "scandal".

Some vulnerable children 'failed by the system'

There is no doubt that the system is currently failing some very vulnerable children. In its inspections of children's homes, Ofsted regards the issue of missing children as one of the main indicators of the quality of care. The inquiry rightly highlights the barriers which prevent us sharing information about the location of children's homes with local police forces. The regulations in force specifically prohibit us from sharing that information with anybody except local councils. We agree that this is something that the Government needs to consider changing.